–Real-time diagnostic imaging, global integration among initiatives on the horizon
GUYANA is moving to significantly ramp up the use of technology and digitisation within its healthcare sector, a comprehensive shift that President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said will position the country competitively among its regional and global counterparts.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a recent event, the Head of State noted that while digital advancements in healthcare have already begun improving service delivery, the next phase of development is expected to be transformative, introducing new systems and capabilities that could redefine how care is delivered across the country.
While sharing insight into the major push expected in the coming months, the President emphasised the importance of integration and coordination across sectors. Guyana’s technological shift in healthcare, he explained, is occurring alongside broader national digitisation efforts, ensuring that systems across the government are interconnected and able to function seamlessly.
Alluding to ongoing developments such as the digitisation of passport services and other government platforms, President Ali stressed that these initiatives are being pursued simultaneously to support a unified and efficient digital ecosystem.
“The technology in healthcare will be celebrated in a way that is unbelievable; you will see that unfolding. All of these things must integrate with each other,” he said.
This integrated approach forms part of a wider national strategy aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and enhancing the overall quality of public services, including healthcare delivery. Already, digitisation efforts in areas such as public service access have been yielding positive feedback, setting the stage for similar gains within the health sector.
Just months after the launch of key initiatives, one of the most strategic advancements in Guyana’s healthcare system has been the implementation of the country’s telemedicine network. Beginning in early 2026 through pilot programmes in Indigenous communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the network has rapidly expanded, becoming one of the most extensive telemedicine systems in the Western Hemisphere.
Backed by approximately 130 telemedicine sites across the country, with an additional 50 planned for development during the course of the year, the system has already begun improving access to healthcare services in remote and hinterland regions, allowing patients to receive consultations and preliminary diagnoses without the need for long-distance travel.
Building on this foundation, President Ali indicated that the next phase of development will focus on more advanced technological capabilities, particularly in diagnostic services, which are expected to significantly enhance the country’s healthcare capacity.
“We are now moving closer to having real-time reading of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and all of these things integrated into the global health system,” he said.
Such advancements are expected to allow for faster diagnosis and improved accuracy, further strengthening the quality of care available to patients across Guyana.
These developments come on the heels of other major technological shifts within the sector, including the rollout of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Launched in January by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) at the Festival City Polyclinic under the guiding principle of “One Patient, One Record”, the system is designed to ensure that patients can access their complete medical history at any public health facility across the country.
The Ministry of Health has since signed a US$3.3 million contract with RioMed Limited to support the national rollout of the EHR system, with the first phase at the GPHC expected to be fully operational by mid-2026. This initiative is expected to improve continuity of care, reduce duplication of tests, and enhance data-driven decision-making within the health system.
Moves like these, coupled with the advanced technological integration outlined by the President, are expected to significantly transform Guyana’s healthcare landscape, bringing it closer in line with international standards.
“We are definitely pursuing technology at a speed and scale that would allow the country to propel itself among its competitors,” President Ali added.
